Martha Karua Condemns Assault on Kizza Besigye’s Lawyer in Uganda
NARC Kenya leader Martha Karua has disclosed troubling incidents of mistreatment targeting Kizza Besigye’s legal team during proceedings at Uganda’s General Court Martial in Kampala. According to Karua, these acts have significantly hindered the lawyers’ ability to defend their client effectively.
Speaking in court on Tuesday, Karua detailed the hardships faced by the team, including the assault of one of her colleagues. She criticized the court’s orderlies for obstructing their work by disrupting standard practices, such as the handling of tools of trade.
“We have been subjected to very difficult conditions back and forth such that before you, we are so exhausted as not to be capable of representing,” Karua lamented. “We have also witnessed before your very own eyes the assault of one of the team members. When we come before you, we feel protected by you, but today that has been violated by the orderlies.”
Karua urged the court to adhere to proper legal procedures when addressing grievances, rather than employing aggression or implementing inconsistent rules that complicate the defense’s efforts.
The revelations came just hours after Karua was issued a temporary practicing certificate by the Uganda Law Society, allowing her to represent Besigye. Her initial application had been rejected, delaying her involvement. The certificate was finally approved on January 6 after a reapplication process.
“The Law Council has granted a temporary Practicing Certificate to Hon. Martha Karua, following her reapplication through the Uganda Law Society,” the law society confirmed on Monday.
Karua took up Besigye’s defense after his controversial abduction in Nairobi on November 16, 2024. He had traveled to Kenya to attend the launch of her memoir, Against the Tide, but was reportedly taken to Uganda, where he now faces trial for security-related offenses, including possession of a firearm and ammunition
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Martha Karua Condemns Assault on Kizza Besigye’s Lawyer in Uganda
